Although Chilean wine does not taste quite like conventional wines, it is earning a reputation as a product high in quality that is worth investigating. South America's Chile produces some very high quality wines. Since Chile is not a country that is easily accessible to most individuals, it is sometimes difficult to find her wines. Recently, however, Chile has begun to export more wines to markets throughout the world.

The Chilean climate is very beneficial to the wine industry. In fact, this climate acts as a deterrent to the Phylloxera epidemic, and Chile is the only wine-producing region in the New World that does not have to graft its vines onto American roots.

The chief wine region in Chile is the Maipo Valley. This valley produces good reds and recently has expanded its industry to produce quality whites. The Cabernets made in the Maipo Valley are world famous and have a smoky flavour that is unlike other Cabernets.

Wineries such as Linderos, Concha y Toro and Undurraga produce some of the Maipo Valley's highest quality wines. The wines from these wineries are aged in large oak barrels and have a good flavour due to this ageing process. Some of these wines are honeyed and appeal to buyers' worldwide.

The major grape varieties are as follows: